Activate online

If you don't see an Activate Product Key button, your software is already activated, and you don't need to do anything.

Follow the steps in the Activation Wizard.

If you're activating over the Internet and have a slow connection, you might want to activate by phone.

Activate by phone

In the Activation Wizard, choose I want to activate the software by telephone .

Select your country or region to see the phone number for your area.

Microsoft Text Telephone (TT/TTY) services are available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. In the United States, using a TT/TTY modem, dial (800) 718-1599. From outside the United States, using a TT/TTY modem, dial (716) 871-6859. TT/TTY service is only available in English.

When you call the Activation Center, you'll be asked to provide the installation ID (displayed on your screen) and other relevant information. After your installation ID is verified, you'll receive a confirmation ID.

In the Activation Wizard, type the confirmation ID in the spaces provided at the bottom of the screen, and then press the Enter key.

Tip If you still can't activate Office, call the activation number, but don't enter anything or say anything. You'll be transferred to someone who can help you.

Activate Office 2010 on a different or restored computer

Your Office 2010 license allows you to reinstall Office on the same computer, and some licenses allow you to activate Office on more than one computer. But if you try activating Office and you get a message that you have installed it too many times, use telephone option in the Activation Wizard to contact a support technician.

Activating Office Starter

Office Starter came pre-installed on some computers, and doesn't need activation. If you have Office Starter and you're being prompted to activate, you might have an Office 2010 installation that you're not aware of. For example, you might have clicked the Try button in an Office dialog box, installing a free trial of Office 2010, without realizing that's what happened. To go back to using Office Starter see this information about removing an unintentional upgrade from Office Starter to Office 2010.

What happens if you don't activate Office 2010

If you don't activate your software, eventually Office 2010 switches to a mode where it lets you open files to view them, but not edit them. You can still activate by going to File > Help > Activate Product Key. In the Activation Wizard, choose the option for activating by telephone, and when you call the activation number, but do not enter anything or say anything. You'll be transferred to someone who can help you.